America's Children

     This has been a terribly sad day for America, but more importantly, it has been a disgraceful day for the memory of Caylee Marie Anthony and for all children whose deaths have never been avenged here on earth. I have heard from people and organizations all over the world today that there is not enough evidence to convict her “mother” Casey of killing the two-year-old.  I guess from a legal and technical point of view that is true. However, I still call into question some of the evidence that appears to be quite condemning:  the odor in the trunk, the hair in the trunk, the duct tape, the partying for 31 days without worry, the fact that the grandmother was the person who actually called to report the child missing and not the mother, and the endless lies. My questions are still unanswered, and I will probably never be satisfied with answers because no one involved is willing to tell the truth: Who killed Caylee? Why? How? I guess we will never know, but I believe I know in my heart who murdered the child—it only takes a bit of common sense to figure it out; I am not judgmental; I am simply a mom and a teacher who loves children and believes they deserve the best and it is our duty to provide it for them. And someone let this poor child down.

     What I do know with utmost certainty is that a woman who, in my opinion, by all accounts had to have killed her child will be walking freely in the near future. I am convinced that by all of Casey’s actions and words spoken leading up to her trial are enough to convict her. Furthermore, I am convinced beyond all doubts that she is guilty after I had the disgusting opportunity to watch her reaction after the jury and spectators exited the courtroom today. What innocent mother can stand around laughing and giggling with others knowing her child rotted in a swamp? If I had not seen this behavior with my own eyes, I doubt I would have believed it actually happened. But I saw it, and I was enraged by her laughter and nonchalant attitude.  Who does that? Shouldn’t Casey’s thoughts have immediately been focused on the fact that her child’s murderer is still on the loose?

     Sadly, history will probably repeat itself and Casey, the lawyers, the jurors, and perhaps even members of the Anthony family will profit off of the death of a child with book deals, interviews, and who knows what else. That will be a disgrace if it happens.

     The reason why I am writing this blog is simply to wrap my mind around today’s events in Florida and to organize my thoughts about the state of our society.  Why are children not valued anymore? They truly are gifts from God. How can people so easily discard children? Our nation has made it so easy to harm a child without any or little punishment. This is terribly wrong and it breaks my heart.

     I sit here writing with tears in my eyes. When I began this blog a few minutes ago, I had big plans to incorporate more thoughts into it and to make it have a big impact, but I just can’t, not tonight. I have to leave it here. This precious little girl who is now living peacefully in a perfect heavenly body is in our Father’s lap wrapped in His loving arms at this time. I can rest knowing that someday whoever murdered her and discarded her in a trunk and then in a swamp will one day meet their proper judgment.     Our God is a loving and forgiving God, but He assures us in his word that no one will go unpunished for harming a child.

     Tonight I joined a Facebook group called “Porch Lights on for Caylee.” To some, this may seem silly, but for those in this country who are like me and feel that a terrible judgment occurred today and want to peacefully protest the verdict and to show their support for an innocent child, turn your porch lights on for the entire night in Caylee’s memory. It’s not much, but it’s something. Most importantly, and this is hard for me to say since I am human, but we need to pray for her mother, Casey.  The future will be hard for Casey. She will undoubtedly be confronted with so much hate and criticism daily as she roams freely. She will be stalked and monitored 24/7 for some time to come. I can rest knowing that someday she or whoever committed the murder will receive their punishment eventually  even though it did not happen today.

     But for the time being, we move on. In doing so, I choose not to feed into the frenzy anymore. We have more children who need our prayers and action, we have bad parents who need help and intervention, and we have a country that has many programs, organizations, and people who don’t care about the broken, the lost, the hurting, and the innocent children—this needs to change. I will move my attention to these matters and these people.  I will pray for the best for all of our children.

Chapters

According to dictionary.com, a chapter is a division in a book. However, as it applies to my life, I like to think of a chapter as the conclusion of something old and the beginning of something new.  Chapters are a fresh start.

Recently, I closed a very significant chapter in my life. It was a chapter that did not end the way that I wished it would have, but now I can see that all will be well, and I am going to be just fine! Actually, I am going to be more than great! It took a long time for me to be able to close the chapter, and the road was long and difficult, but now I can move on in peace knowing that it is behind me and the future is very bright.   

With the close of one chapter and the beginning of a new one, I can breathe a sigh of relief and begin to anticipate the story that is about to unfold right before my eyes! I cannot wait!

On this “It’s a Ladybug Kind of Day,” I guess all that I have to say now is “Let’s get busy writing this new chapter!”

It's Teacher Appreciation Week, But It's Not Exactly What You Are Thinking

Yesterday was national Teacher Appreciation Day. Did you take the time to tell a teacher “thank you”? I hope so!

I had no idea until my mom texted me to wish me a good day that it was the day that we should celebrate our teachers. Throughout the day I thought about all of the teachers that I have had in my life from grade school to college. And then I thought about my family, and how they have been the best teachers of all.

First, I want to take a quick trip down memory lane to my school days before I praise my family.

There were so many fond and inspiring memories that came to my mind yesterday ranging from my first grade reading group all the way to my children’s literature courses at LCU.

Looking back at grade school there are many teachers whom I loved: Ms. Haught, Mrs. Black, Mrs. Long, Mrs. Kitchens, and Mrs. White. What I remembered most about these educators is that they cared for me. They had high expectations of me. They engaged me in their classes. They inspired me to become a teacher.

I’m just going to skip over junior high because, frankly, I hated it so much. I’m not quite sure if anything good came out of those years for me!

Let me look into my years in high school instead.  At SHS I started off deeply involved in athletics which I loved at the time, but my interests changed as life changed (I won’t go into this discussion because just as good teachers can lift a child high and inspire her, bad teachers can crush the spirit of that child and forever change her. That happened to me, so I charted an alternate path). I fell in love with journalism because Mrs. Potter nurtured me and believed in me and my abilities. She saw that I had talent, and she fostered that talent. It was in her classes that I fell in love with reading, writing, and design.

Then, there was college when I was finally beginning to figure out just who I was. There were professors that had a hand in my “finding myself”, but it was truly Mr. Yarborough and Dr. Blassingame who showed me what real secondary English teachers can be to a child. It was during my years as their student that I decided to become an English teacher. I’m so grateful for them.

Now, I am working with some of the best educators in the field, and I learn from them daily. It’s so awesome!

All of these people listed above had a hand in molding my future and my career. My identity is heavily defined by my career as an educator, and I learned, and I am still learning, from some of the best. Thank you all!

However, my career is only half of who I am. The other half, and the most important, is me, the real Amy Smithson Chaney: the mom, the wife, the daughter, the sister, the niece, the granddaughter, and the cousin. The Amy who was raised by the best family a child could ask for. I don’t take any of them for granted. They were and still are teachers to me. It’s important for me on this day to list them and their contributions to my life. I have learned from wonderful people! I am learning to be a better person day in and day out based on what I take from them. They have made me into who I am as well. Each one has played a critical role in my life.

Here we go! Thanks to…

1.   My dad: He is the hard working, upstanding, wise, never reacts only acts, encouraging man. Because of his love, I know that the father-daughter relationship is the most important relationship in a girl’s life because it sets the stage for the rest of her life. His guidance has directed my path in life.

2.   My mom: She has taught me that a mother’s love is the most important gift a child can receive and that big hugs just when they are needed the most can brighten someone’s day.  Mom taught me that someone always needs a fighter in her corner of the ring at all times because it’s a tough world out there.  Thanks for being in my corner and for being a shoulder for me to cry on. Moms are the greatest providers because they tackle everything that others would never consider doing, and they do it because they want to. Moms love.

3.   My husband: Travis teaches me to be patient. True love can conquer all. Don’t jump to conclusions. Be happy! Laugh often. Everyone needs a confidante. Your spouse should be your best friend.  Never give up and continue to persevere because cloudy days don’t last forever. Take pride in everything you do.

4.   My MeeMo: She was a true lady of grace and dignity. I learned that a grandmother’s soft, loving touch can make a child feel truly happy and safe (especially when the child is wrapped in her robe at the breakfast table). A grandmother is a child’s best secret-keeper and the ultimate cheerleader!

5.   My Big Daddy: He was a tough man. I remember he never backed down and he fought hard. A grandfather’s strength is a good thing. Light-hearted banter keeps things upbeat and fun. Taking time to sit and watch the world go by is nice. You always have to know when it’s just the right time to push others’ buttons, or else…

6.   Judy: She is not only my aunt, but she is a friend. Be generous with hand-me-downs and other gifts because they bring joy to people. Doing nothing all day can be fun (i.e. floating in the lake), and long talks with a good listener are a must-have. I also learned from her that it is essential to correct others’ poorly chosen words because you don’t want them to get embarrassed when they speak incorrectly!

7.   Lana: My fun and adventurous, young-at-heart aunt has taught me to stay busy, do what you love, and laughter is contagious.

8.   Penny: Look at the world with an innocent eye as often as possible. Don’t be corrupt.

9.   Anna: Every girl needs “sisterly love”, and we have that!

10. Clate: What can I say? As a mom, I feel that I am learning more from him on a daily basis than I could have ever imagined. Thank you Clate for making me grow daily and strive to be a better person.

Each one of these people has played an instrumental role in educating me during my lifetime. When I look at that list and their contributions to my life, all that I can say to myself is Wow, how blessed am I? I truly am. So, during this week that we should be acknowledging our teachers at school, I also want to thank my loved ones who have been the best teachers of all. I hope that I can be the same to others as you have been to me. I love you! This is your day.



Ramblings from My Heart

For over 24 hours now we have heard the news: Usama bin Laden is dead! Usama bin Laden is dead! Usama bin Laden is dead! America finally got its number one terrorist!

When I first heard the news I was getting ready for bed on Sunday night, and I was elated because we finally received some good news in regards to the war on terror. America needed a morale booster, and we had one! However, it was when I eventually made my way into Clate’s room to help him go to sleep on that night that reality sunk in—this could be really bad, and the world could spin out of control even more than it already does. Usually, I curl up next to Clate in his bed, and we read, pray, and talk, but on this night, as I lay there beside my peacefully-sleeping, sweet son, my mind immediately went back to September 11, 2001 when our country was attacked by an evil band of men led by Usama bin Laden.

It was on that day nearly ten years ago I found myself drawn to the television and watching, along with the rest of the world, the terrible events play out over and over again. I was almost six months pregnant at the time and terrified of bringing my child into such an evil world. I remember thinking to myself This isn’t fair for Clate. He deserves better than this. Is this all the world has to offer him now? Two nights ago laying there beside Clate, I felt the same anxieties. I wanted to shield him, once again, from the depravity that surrounds us. I wanted to give him the peace and security that I knew as a child when we didn’t fear much of anything because there was not much to fear.

Wondering what will ever become of this world, I stared at Clate and saw a glimpse of peace, innocence, and happiness. With tears in my eyes, I realized that I do not know what will become of this crazy world that we live in during my lifetime, but I know one thing is for certain, it is my job as Clate’s mom to provide a safe world and a joyous environment for him to grow in and flourish. By doing so, I can rest knowing that I did my very best to give this world one “shining city on a hill”.

My most important contribution to society is raising a Christian man who will be productive, educated, honorable, patriotic, and wise. My prayer is that Clate will be one of the beacons of light in this world who will have the decency to stand up for what is right and to fight the evil that works so hard to destroy us.

On this “It’s a Ladybug Kind of Day!” I sit in front of this computer screen typing the ramblings going on within my heart. I guess I am like every American mom, in that, I only want the best for my child, and I do not have the ability to provide a perfect world for him beyond the walls and doors of our house, but as I entrust him to God, I am confident Clate will be safe and grow into the man whom I described and whom I pray he will be.

What else can I hope for? Is there anything better than watching your child mature into an amazing human being? I don’t think so. What a blessing this is to my heart. This was a nice break from the disturbing news that bombards us today. Thank you for letting me share my world with you.   

Happy Easter!

The Lord saved me! Jesus is the true meaning of this special holiday weekend, but I also want to send you all a fun Easter greeting. Happy Easter!

http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/ScYYJmM3D6y99kpJ

Spreading Wide My Narrow Hands

Emily Dickenson’s poem “I Dwell in Possibility” has inspired me on this “It’s a Ladybug Kind of Day!” to do just that—to dwell in the possibility.

I love this stanza from Dickenson’s poem:

“…For Occupation--This--
The spreading wide my narrow Hands
To gather Paradise--"

The stanza encourages me. It also excites me! What is possibility? What possibilities lie ahead of me? How do I plan to “spread wide my narrow hands” and to “gather paradise?” One way that I plan to do this is by pursuing a dream.

It has always been my dream to write and to publish a children’s story. It became my dream when I was in high school. I have always had the idea tucked deep inside my mind of what I wanted to do, but it never came to fruition until this past week. The story actually began developing when I decided to begin blogging. It was as if God wiped away the cobwebs in the dusty, dark area of my mind where I kept this dream tucked away, and He shined light on it!

I am so excited to begin this new venture. I have been planning all weekend long. I think I am about ready to begin putting it down on paper. Who knows where it will lead or even if it will be a success in the literary world, but, at least, I can say that I have decided to follow a dream. Who knows, maybe someday my grandchildren will love it. As I tell my students all of the time “Authors get to leave their fingerprints in the world because their literature stands the test of time.” Now, I will get to say that about me as well! That’s pretty neat, if I do say so myself!

So, on this “It’s a Ladybug Kind of Day!” I am thankful that God gave me a creative talent that I have not fully used: writing. I am also grateful that He brought this dream back to life for me! Perhaps, this will be the beginning of my gathering a new paradise by opening wide my narrow hands and living one of my many dreams!

http://famouspoetsandpoems.com/poets/emily_dickinson/poems/6276

What in the world am I doing?

I had this crazy realization recently that I want to become part of the blogosphere. What was I thinking? I must be crazy. In my attempt to add dialogue to the Internet voice, I am jumping in feet first not knowing what I will be writing about or where this venture will take me. I do not even know what my voice will become on this journey, but, knowing me, it will change often. As the cliché goes, "Hang on, it will be a wild ride." I am certain there will be bumps, twists, turns, free-falls, and, hopefully, some smooth sailings along the way. Buckle up. Here I go...

I am just going to "get my feet wet" with this first blog since I have no idea what I am doing!

Today is a "Ladybug kind of day!" because I choose to be happy. I am at my desk looking at an email that my dad sent me a couple of years ago. I keep it posted nearby so that I will never forget (sadly, however, I seem to need this reminder everyday because I do, indeed, forget it). It was two years ago, and I was surrounded by so much negativity in my career and even personally, and I felt like the world was out to get me. My dad sent me (his "ladybug") an email reminding me that "It takes as much energy to be negative as opposed to being positive. 'Am I going to have a good day or a bad day?' I have a choice. It's not what happens to me that counts; it is how I react when it does happen to me...I have only a limited supply of energy for the day. Use it in a positive way. I will be happier and everyone around me will be as well." Thank you, Dad. Positive thinking is just as contagious as negative thinking. So, on this "It's a Ladybug kind of day!" I am choosing to be positive even when the annoyances of late papers, excuses for not completing reading assignments, and failing grades on the part of my students are slamming me from the left and the right. I can do this! Be positive--pass it on.

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